Getting recognition as a Five Star Branch was not a driving force for our branch.  As it turned out though, our local strategic plan and the national criteria were very compatible.  Our overarching goal is always to focus on having increased impact on our members and in our community.  The criteria helped us refine our direction and emphasize some areas more than we might have otherwise.  Reporting our achievements gave us an opportunity to be recognized for efforts underway for a long time.